The Role of Nurses in Screening, Follow-up, and Support for Children with Congenital Sensorineural Hearing Loss
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Abstract
Congenital sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has a significant impact on the development of children’s language comprehension and speech, intelligence, and social skills if it is not detected and treated in a timely manner. Nurses have an important role in screening and managing children with hearing loss according to the recommendations of JCIH in 2019, with the goal of 1-3-6: hearing screening by the age of 1 month, hearing diagnosis by the age of 3 months, and treatment or hearing rehabilitation by the age of 6 months. Hearing rehabilitation with hearing aids or cochlear implant surgery is important for promoting language and speech development. Nurses must ensure accurate newborn hearing screening with the screening instruments otoacoustic emission (OAE) and automated auditory brainstem response (AABR), especially in high-risk infants according to the indications of JCIH. Continuous follow-up to monitor for progressive or late-onset hearing loss is important, especially in children with risk factors such as asymptomatic CMV infection, a history of NICU stay, or exposure to ototoxic drugs. Nurses should observe developmental behavior and refer to specialists. The long-term roles of nurses also include promoting holistic child development, coordinating multidisciplinary care, and providing information to families about disability benefits. For children with hearing loss, alternative communication may be recommended, such as a picture exchange communication system, which will help increase understanding in communication. Organizing parent support groups and providing guidance in choosing an appropriate school are also important. Effective nursing practice plays an important part in helping improve the development and quality of life to be as close as possible to that of normal children.
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